HOW CAN COUPLES BUILD LASTING MARRIAGES? EXPERTS REVEAL THE PARENTING LESSONS BEHIND 40 YEARS OF LOVE
As Oluwasetemi Oluwasola reports, experts at the Olasehindes’ 40th wedding anniversary in Akure have urged couples to embrace patience, commitment and mutual understanding while raising boys and girls with equal care to build stronger families.
EXPERTS URGE BALANCED PARENTING, PATIENCE AND COMMITMENT AS OLASEHINDES CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF MARRIAGE IN AKURE
What keeps a marriage together for four decades when divorce and broken homes appear increasingly common? For media professionals and faith leaders, the answer lies not only in love, but in patience, mutual understanding, commitment and the deliberate raising of children who understand responsibility irrespective of gender.
The call formed a major part of the activities marking the 40th wedding anniversary of Elder Akinola Olasehinde and his wife, Mrs Moromoke Olasehinde, held at Goodness Event Hall, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The celebration, which attracted family members, church members, neighbours and close friends, also provided an opportunity for speakers to reflect on the challenges confronting contemporary marriages and the role of parents in building stable homes.
LASTING MARRIAGES REQUIRE PATIENCE, COMMITMENT
The General Manager of Positive FM, Akure, Engineer Steve Omonagbe, urged couples to embrace mutual understanding, patience and commitment, expressing concern over the increasing rate of divorce and broken homes in society.
Omonagbe made the remark while congratulating the Olasehindes on their 40th wedding anniversary.
He commended the couple for reaching the milestone, describing their four decades together as evidence of God’s grace, and prayed for more years of happiness and togetherness.
According to him, lasting marriages appear to be increasingly difficult to find, making the Olasehindes’ achievement worthy of celebration and reflection.
He stressed the importance of unity, patience and understanding in sustaining a marriage through different seasons of life.
PARENTS URGED TO RAISE BOYS AND GIRLS EQUALLY
Correspondingly, a media professional and broadcaster, Chioma Ogungbenro, also called on parents to adopt balanced parenting by giving both male and female children proper upbringing.
Ogungbenro expressed concern that some contemporary parents pay greater attention to training girls while neglecting the upbringing of boys.
She warned that failing to properly train boys could have consequences for their future roles as husbands and fathers.
She said parents should raise children of both genders with sound values, responsibility, respect and emotional maturity, noting that the quality of parenting ultimately affects the stability of future families.
Ogungbenro urged parents to ensure that children are equipped with the values required to build healthy relationships and families in adulthood.
Read Also: They Fell In Love As University Students, Four Decades Later, They Renewed Their Vows
‘BEAUTY ALONE CANNOT BUILD A HOME’
In a sermon during the celebration, the Resident Pastor of GOFAMINT Pacesetters Assembly, Akure, Pastor (Dr.) David Babafemi Ilori, described the rising rate of divorce as worrisome.
He said a couple who had successfully spent 40 years together deserved to be celebrated, describing the Olasehindes’ marriage as an example for younger generations.
Ilori noted that physical beauty alone could not sustain a home, stressing that obedience, commitment and love were among the values that had helped preserve the couple’s union.
He urged couples to make Christ the foundation of their marriages, emphasising that a strong foundation remained essential to the survival of both families and individuals.
‘THEIR MARRIAGE IS A TESTAMENT TO LOVE AND ENDURING FRIENDSHIP’
Former Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, who described the couple as childhood friends, said their 40-year union was a testament to love, commitment, faith and enduring friendship.
Dr Adelola said the Olasehindes had built their home on mutual respect, unwavering support and shared values.
He noted that Elder Olasehinde had distinguished himself as a chartered accountant, while his wife had served humanity as a physiotherapist.
According to him, the couple’s accomplishments demonstrate that success should not be measured only by professional achievements but also by the strength of one’s family and positive impact on society.
He described how the couple’s children had reflected the love, discipline and godly principles instilled in them by their parents.
CHILDREN CELEBRATE PARENTS’ ENDURING LEGACY
The couple’s children and daughters-in-law also paid tribute to them, describing their parents as role models whose marriage had influenced their own families.
One of the daughters-in-law, Oluwagbotemi Olasehinde, said the couple had shown the family that love could grow stronger through patience, understanding, forgiveness and faith.
She thanked them for their guidance and wisdom, adding that their example demonstrated that a successful marriage required not only love but also respect, trust and the willingness to stand by one another through difficult and joyful moments.
Another daughter-in-law, Omotola Olasehinde, praised the couple for raising their children with strong values, genuine love and unwavering faith in God.
She said the values demonstrated by the couple had been passed down through the family and had helped create a safe and loving environment for their children.
Omotola particularly expressed gratitude for the way they had raised her husband, Ayomide, saying the man he had become reflected the love, faith, wisdom and guidance he received from his parents.
She prayed for the couple to enjoy continued good health, peace, joy and many more years together.
SONS RECOUNT LESSONS FROM 40 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
The couple’s sons also reflected on the impact of their parents’ marriage on their lives.
Dr Muyiwa Olasehinde described being raised by the couple as one of the greatest privileges of his life.
He said he had witnessed genuine love between his parents over the years and observed that the affection had extended beyond the couple to their children and, subsequently, their families.
Muyiwa said his parents had provided a model of a godly home built on unity, sacrifice, intentional parenting and putting God at the centre of family life.
He added that their strong values had contributed to both their professional accomplishments and successful marriage.
According to him, watching his parents closely throughout his life had shaped the kind of marriage and home he hoped to build.
He described the couple as pillars of guidance and support to their children and prayed for their continued long life and good health.
Another son, Ayomide Olasehinde, thanked his parents for being a model couple and said that, throughout the years he had spent closely observing them, he had never witnessed abuse in their relationship.
He described their home as one characterised by love, respect and care, thanking them for leading the family with wisdom and sacrifice.
Ayomide prayed for the couple to enjoy many more years together, saying, “40 years no be beans,” while celebrating their achievement and wishing them another 40 years of marital bliss.
The Olasehindes celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary on August 22, 2026, marking four decades of marriage and family life.
Their celebration ultimately became more than a commemoration of longevity. It offered a reminder that sustainable families are built through intentional parenting, mutual respect, faith, sacrifice and commitment— values speakers at the event said must be deliberately passed from one generation to another.
Watch the highlights of the event
